LIBRARY  OF  THE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 

PRINCETON,  N.  J. 

BX  8949  .S3  B36  1876 

Bannard,  William. 

An  historical  discourse 

♦ 

PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH,  SALEM,  N.  J. 


A  N 


HISTORICAL 
M  T^  T  Q  n  r^T  T  TP  c  u     1 


-#|  DISCOURSE 

DELIVERED   IN   COMPLIANCE  NAHTH    A   RESOLUTION 
OK  TIlK   ■ 

GENERAL   ASSEMBLY 

I  N    y  1 1  K  - — - 

First  Presbyterian  Church 

salem,  new  jersey, 

JULY  i&th,  i8/6. 


BY   THE   PASTOR 

/^EP\  fVM,  BdNNARD.  D.  D. 


SALEM,   NEW    JERSEY ! 

M.S.  WOOD,  PRINTER,  No.  166  E.  BROADWaV. 


TO  REV.   WM.    BANNARD,    D    D. 

Salciii.  N.  .1..  .July  l'.».  IKTC. 
l>K\lt  SiH  : 

Thi' ••Historical"  l>i.-c()iirso  prcju-lu'tl  by  yon  on  Salduit  li.  Kit  li  inst.,  in 
i-ouipliancc  with  the  riMiut'st  of  tlif  ffcncral  assembly,  is  such  a  couipkMc. 
inipaitial  and  interesting  history  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Salem. 
N.  J.,  from  its  orjjanizal-lou  until  the  present  time,  and  contains  allusions 
so  just  and  beautiful  to  uiany  t)!"  thetleparted  dead  that  we.  members  of 
Session,  in  bi'halt  of  t  lie  chui-ch  and  con<ire,Lrat  ion.  respectfully  re(|uest  a 
copy  of  tht   same  for  publication. 

V(Uirs   Truly. 

in:riiKN  hinciiman. 
c^riNTox  (iir.ijox. 

JNO.  1'.  MOOHE. 
WM.  15.  K<)liJ-:UTS()X. 
II.  M.  la  MSKY, 

Membei^s  of  Session. 


Dk.vu  P.vstou: 

NVe  listeni'd  witli  so  much  pleasure  and  profit  to  the  Historical  Discourse 
which  you  delivered  on  the.lHth  of  July,  tliat  we  are  sure  we  represent  the 
.ijeiu'ral  desire  Of  the  church  and  conj^regation  when  Ave  request  a  copy  for 
iiublication.  Yours    \'erv    Respectfully. 

MASK  ELL   WARE, 

A.  W.  SHERRON. 

CHAS.  W.  CASPER. 

JXO.  LA  AYS  ON. 

HEXRY  D.  HAT>L. 

JXO.  C.  BELDEK. 

CALEP,  WHEELEK. 
Trustees  of  the   First   Presbyterian    Church.  Salem.  X.J. 


To   THK    TurSTKKS    .\M>    ElUKKS  (M-' THE  i 

Pkesi5Vteui.\.n   Chvkch.  > 

S.VLEM.   X'EW    JiCKSKV.  ) 
liX.VTLKMEX  : 

it  gives  me  pleasure  to  comply  with  your  united  reciuest  for  a  copy  of 
my  Historical  Discourse  for  i>ublication.  In  view  of  the  delicacy  and 
(lifticulty  of  its  ]irei>aiation.  it  also  gives  me  si>ecial  ]>leasure  that  it  meets 
with  your  appro\al  as  •■complete,  imjjartial.  and  att'ording  general 
satisfaction.'" 

Nery  sincerely  Yours, 

WM.  BAXXARD. 
Salem.  X.  J..  Jul v  •id.  is?). 


^^"iJr 


^^ 


I  NOTB.^ 


Besides  access  to  tlie  Records  of  Session  and  of  tlie 
Trustees,  to  printed  Sermons  and  Memoirs  of  Ilev. 
Jolin  Burtt  anil  Rev.  Daniel  Stratton.  tlie  writer  in 
]n-eparing  tins  sketcli  acknowledges  his  special  obliga- 
to  mannscript  histories  of  the  cliurch  prepared  h\ 
Misii  Ennna  \;uuueter  and  Mv.  .lohnson  Iliibhell. 


AN 
I  HISTORICAL  DISCOURSE  I 


t-m-*-    4* 


.0^^  EESBYTERIAXISM  in  Salem,  X.   J.,  and 
'I  T        its  vicinity,  dates    back  to    1748.  ^^when    a 
"' .;  deed    of    trnst  was   made  to    the.  Deacons 

and  Elders  of  tlu^  reli<>'ions  Society  of  people  called 
Presbyterians,  ai^recnible  to  the  Cluirch  of  Scotland,  in 
Penn's  Neck,  and  to  their  successors  forever,  for  tlie 
buildin<>-  of  a  meeting-liouse  or  chnrcli." 

Thirty  years  after  this  date,  or  hi  ITTS,  arhurch 
was  organized  in  Penn's  Neck,  though  tliere  liad  been 
preacliing  then^   since    177:]  by   Rev.  Sanniel  Eakin, 


O  AX     HISTORICAL 

oTeat-o-mndfatlier  of  our  townsman,  C.  Eakin,  Esq. 
Next  to  Whitefiold  Mr.  Eakin  was  esteemed  the 
most  eloquent  minister  that  liad  preached  in  this 
country. 

In  1797  Rev.  Samuel  Harris  was  ordained  pastor 
of  the  united  cono-reo-ations  of  Penn's  Neck  and  Allo- 
ways  Creek,  each  of  which  places  is  ahout  six  miles 
from  Salem.  In  1803  these  churches,  according  to  the 
minutes  of  the  Presl)ytery  of  Philadelphia,  liad 
eighty  memhers,  and  Avere  ahle,  in  conjunction,  ^o  sup- 
port a  pastor.  In  1805  they  hecame  destitute  of  a 
regular  minister  and  steadily  declined  in  numhers 
until  the  church  at  Alloways  Creek  hecome  extinct, 
and  the  church  at  Penn's  Xeck  was  dissolved  hv 
Preshytery  and  its  members  organized  into  the 
church  at  Salem. 

In  1812  an  effort  was  made  to  repair  the  building 
belonging  to  St.  John's  Episcopal  Churcli  in  Salem. 
It  had  fallen  into  ruins,  having  become  a  burrow  for 
rabbits  and  a  resting  place  for  swallows — its  velvet 
liangings  were  torn  and  faded,  and  it  was  unfit  for 
public  worship.  At  a  meeting  presided  o^er  by 
Bishop  White  and  attended  by  two  Episcopal  minis- 
ters, Pev.  Messrs.  Wilmer  and  Fowler,  it  was  agreed 
to  raise  money  and  repair  the  building  on  the  express 
condition  that  Presbyterian  ministers  should  preach 
in  it  when  the  pulpit  was  not  occupicnl  by  an 
Episco])alian.      Tliere  was   much    discussion    on    this 


DlSCUUHSE.  / 

])oint-,  and  after  listoiiing  to  it  Bisliop  White  said: 
''Let  tlie  <>(Mitl(Mn(ni  eoiidurt  the  husiiiess  as  they 
tliiiik  ])ro|)(M-.  It  is  a  mixed  society  of  people  and 
tliey  kiKnv  ])rst  liow  to  manage  it." 

I'pon  this  undf^standing-  Col.  Uo])ert  (r.  .lolmson 
and  Jndi>-e  Thos.  Sinnickson  contributed  four-fil'ths 
of  tlie  money  expinidcHl  for  re])airs,  while  l)rs.  Janu  s 
and  R.  II.  Vanmeter,  with  others,  contributed  the  re- 
mainder. This  arrangement  continued  in  harmonious 
operation  for  eiglit  ycnu's,  or  from  1812  to  IS'iO. 
Presbyterian  ministers  preached  as  occasion  offered, 
and  Episcopalians  and  Presbyterians  worshipped 
together  as  Christian  brethren.  About  this  time  the 
wardens  and  vestrymen  of  St.  Jolui's  cluirch  held  a 
meeting,  at  whicli  it  .was  Ilesolved :  ''That  the  per- 
mission of  the  rector,  or  in  his  absence  of  a  majority 
of  the  wardens  and  vestrymen,  be  required  to  entitk* 
a  clergyman  of  this  or  any  other  denomination  to 
preacli  in  the  pulpit  of  said  church."  "When  this 
action  became  known  to  Col.  Johnson,  he  inquired  of 
the  rector.  Rev.  R.  F.  Cadle,  if  it  was  intended  to 
exclude  his  particular  friends.  Rev.  Messrs.  Janvier 
and  Freeman,  neighboring  Presbyterian  ministers, 
who  had  occasionally  preached  in  that  clmrch.  He 
w^as  told  that  as  rector  he  could  not  allow  sucli 
ministers  to  preach  in  his  pulpit.  When  an  appeal 
was  made  to  the  action  of  1812  at  which  it  was 
agreed  to    allow  otlier  ministers  to  preach  in  it  wlien 


AN     HISTORICAL 


not  occupied  by  an  Episcopalian,  and  also  to  the  fact 
that  this  agreement  had  been  carricnl  out  for  eight 
years,  the  rector  admitted  the  fact,  but  pleaded  that 
th(^  agreement  was  only  verbal;  that  it  was  contrary 
to  the  canons  of  tlie  clnirch  wliicli  lie  liad  recently 
and  solemnly  promised  to  sustain;  that  he  could  not 
in  conscience  allow  liis  people  to  listen  to  erroneous 
doctrine,  which  he  regarded  such  ministers  as  preach- 
ing; and  moreover  that  the  officers  of  the  church 
concurred  with  him  in  tliis  position.  On  a  Sabbath 
ii\  December,  18*20,  Col.  Johnson,  understanding  that 
tlie  rertor  would  be  absent  and  the  pulpit  therefore 
unoccupied,  invited  his  friend  and  guest,  llev.  Ashbel 
Green,  1).  1).,  President  of  Princeton  C'oUege,  to 
preach  in  the  Episcopal  church.  On  coming  to  it 
tliev  tound  the  door  locked  and  the  large  company 
that  had  assembled  in  the  grave-yard  were  refused 
admission.  It  was  understood  that  this  exclusion 
was  bv  direction  of  the  rector  in  accordance  with  tlu^ 
resolution  ol  the  vestry.  As  they  were  thus  sum- 
marily shut  out  and  the  arrangement  abruptly  ended, 
and  as  there  was  no  appeal  from  this  decision,  the 
Presbvterians  were  obliged  to  make  other  arrange- 
ments to  (mjoy  their  worship  according  to  their  con- 
\ictions.  They  therefore  withdrew  and  held  religious 
meetings  for  a  time  in  the  Academy  building  and  in 
the  Court  House.  At  the  suggestion  of  Col.  Johnson 
i)repnra^ions  wore  at  oncc^  made  to  (n-ganiz(^  a  Presby- 


DisrouusE.  V) 

tcvian  clinrcli  and  erect  a  lmil(lin<^-  for  its  worsliij). 
Col.  Jolnisoii  belonged  to  an  E])is('o])al  ianiily,  bnt  lie 
liad  b(Hni  oducatcMl  nndor  Presbyterian  influence*  at  a 
school  at  I'ittso-rove^  and  at  Princeton  ('ollege,  a^ 
which  lio  was  <)-raduat(*d.  He  associated  with  hini 
Dr.  Janu^s  and  Dr.  Robert  H.  Vannieter,  l^resby- 
terians  and  natives  of  Pittsgrove  township,  where 
their  family  resided  in  17*20.  Their  lather,  Benjamin 
A^nim(*t(n\  was  an  Ehhn-  in  the  Pittsgrove  Presby- 
t(M'ian  Churcli.  Bo^h  these  brothers  arc  highly 
spoken  of.  The  biographer  of  Dr.  James  says:  "No 
physician,  I  believe,  ever  lived  in  this  county  possess- 
ing a  more  spotless  reputation,  nor  did  there  ever  die 
one  more  sincerely  rcgrettc^d.  In  liis  professional 
and  private  life  he  was  a  blessing  and  a.n  ornament 
to  the  community."  Dr.  R.  H.  Vannieter  was  an 
active  and  energetic  man  and  staunch  Presbyterian, 
thoroughly  devoted  to  the  church,  and  one  who  ga\(* 
to  it  his  time,  prayers  and  moncn"  with  cordial  zeal 
and  affection. 

C'ol.  Johnson  and  these  gentlemen  entered  wi']i 
enthusiasm  into  the  enterprise  of  establishing  a 
Presbyterian  clnircli  in  Salem.  Their  (mergy  and 
liberality  were  sliown  in  the  fact  tliat  '5400  w(n-(» 
collected  in  one  day — a  large  sum  for  the  times  and 
for  the  few  who  were;  interested — and  in  the  further 
fact  that  the  corner  stone  of  the  new  building  was 
laid    March  ().  1(S21,  about    three    months    after    Dr. 


10  AN    HISTORICAL 

Green  was  forbidden  to  preacli  in  tlie  Episcopal  (tluirch; 
wliile  the  building  itself  was  completed   and  opened 
with  religious  services  July  14,  of  the  same    year,  or 
in  about  four  months.     This   building  was    of  brick, 
80  by  50  feet,  with  a  gallery  across  the  northern  end. 
It  was    located    on  w^hat  is   now  East  Griffith    street, 
and.on  the  southern  side  of  the  Presbyterian  cemetery. 
Col.  Johnson  contributed  half  an  acre  of  ground  for 
its  site,  which  is  now  part  of  the  cemetery.     He  also 
gave  Sl'iOO,  or  nearly  one-half  of  the  cost  of  the  build- 
ing, which    w^as    $2,443.      The    remainder   was    con- 
tributed   by    the   Vanmeter    brothers,    ^Messrs.    John 
C'ongleton   and  Mathias  Lambson,  various  citizens    of 
Salem,  both    town    and    county,  and    others    in  Cape 
May    County,    EHzabethtown,    Kingston,    Princeton, 
Philadelphia  and  elsew4iere.      The   names  of  many  of 
the  donors  have  been  preserved  and  they  show  a  wide- 
spread interest  and  sympathy  in  the  enterprise. 

Besides  half  an  acre  of  land  and  nearly  halt  the  cost 
of  the  building,  Col.  Johnson  gave  the  mahogany 
pulpit  now  in  use  in  the  Lecture  Hoom;  Dr.  R.  H. 
Vanmeter  gave  the  stove;  INIrs.  Ruth  Vanmeter  gave 
^he  pulpit  hangings,  and  a  bookseller  in  Philadelphia 
gave  the  pulpit  Bible. 

When  the  building  Avas  erected  East  Griffith  street 
w;is  not  laid  out.  It  was  approached  from  a  road  that 
entered  INIarket  street  between  Maskell  Ware's  house 
and  the  Episcopal  church.    It  pointed  North,  therefore, 


nisrouKSK.  11 

niul   not    South    as   aftorwanls;   wliilc   tlio   sto(  plo  was 
also  on  tlio  Xortli  ond. 

Tlio  coreiuonios  connectod  with  the  layin<>-  of  tlio 
cornor-stonc  were  conducted  by  Messrs.  Freeman, 
Janvier  and  Ballantinc.  Mr.  Janvier  made  tlie  address 
on  tlie  occasion,  and  tlie  (^veninj;-  ])re\  ious  Mr.  Fnn  - 
man  preached  an  appropriate  sermon  in  the  old  Bap- 
tist meetini>-liouse.  At  its  dedication,  July  14,  1821, 
a  sermon  was  ])rcaclied  by  Kev.  G.  AA\  Janvier  from 
II.  Chron.  v:  1:3,  14. 

In  1831  or  1882  pews  with  cushions  were  put  into 
it,  the  seats  having  previously  been  plain  benclies  with 
backs.  The  cost  was  C662.  These  pews  are  now  in 
use  in  our  Lecture  Uooni.  This  work  w^as  done 
during  the  ministry  of  He  v.  A.  H.  Parker.  It  is  said 
he  obser^ed  in  this  church,  one  Sabbath,  a  wealthy 
mahogany  merchant  of  Philadelphia,  with  Avhom  he 
was  acquainted.  After  the  service  tliis  gentleman 
cordially  gave  him  his  hand,  and  said:  '^Wliat  a  plain 
Church  you  have."  "Well,"  rephed  Mr.  Parker, 
"hoAV  much  mahogany  will  you  give  to  make  up  into 
])ewsr'  This  gentleman  generously  sent  almost 
enough  for  the  alteration  of  the  benclies.  ^Ir.  Parker 
also  went  to  Philadelphia  and  solicited  planking, 
paints,  &c.,  which,  with  the  generous  contributions  of 
the  congregation,  were  ample  to  modify  and  re-seat 
the  building. 

In    1835,   as   the    congregation  increased    and   the 


\'2  AN    HISTORICAL 

building  became  too  small,  it  was  again  improved  and 
enlarged.  Twenty  feet  wx^re  added  to  the  length, 
making  it  seventy  feet  long  and  giving  twenty  new 
pews.  The  floor  w^as  raised  three  feet,  and  the  ground 
under  the  front  end  was  dug  out  four  feet,  forming  a 
basement  Lecture  Room,  wdiich  w^as  used  for  Sabbath 
school  and  weekly  meetings.  Owing,  however,  to  its 
dampness  and  its  proving  a  favorite  resort  for  toads,  it 
was  not  very  popular.  These  improvements  cost 
$3,()0().  The  building  resembled  the  letter  T,  wdth  a 
door  each  side  of  the  pulpit,  which  was  also  at  the 
Southern  end.  The  pews,  therefore,  looked  towards 
the  door,  so  that  on  entering  the  church  you  fliced  the 
audience.  As  thus  constructed,  on(^  Avrites:  'Tt  was  a 
curious  specimen  of  architecture;  oblong  in  shape, 
with  a  T  transept.  It  would  seat  three  hundred  peo- 
ple and,  though  quaint,  was  comfortable  and  genteel." 

In  1838  an  organ  w^as  placed  in  it  at  a  cost  of  four 
or  five  hundred  dollars,  of  which  Calvin  Belden  gave 
one-half  There  was  opposition  to  an  organ  at  iirst 
from  some  of  the  older  members  of  the  church;  but  it 
died  aw^ay,  and  especially  in  view  of  its  necessity,  as 
there  were  few  singers  at  this  time  in  the  congrega- 
tion. Public  worship  was  held  in  this  old  church  for 
the  last  time  the  second  Sabbath  of  Oct.,  1856;  but 
its  bell  continued  to  call  the  people  to  worship  in  the 
new  church  until  the  last  Sabbath  in  December,  1857. 
This   bell,  by  the  way,  was   sold  to    the  Fenwick  lire 


DlSrOUHSK.  13 

laii^'inc  Co..  and  it's  not(^s  \v(M'('  licard  in  tlic  upnKir  and 
din  tli;i<"  nslun'cd  in  ^hc  ni()rninL>-  ol*  tlu^  ( Vntcnnial 
F(Mirtli  (^IMnly. 

I  liav(^  ^ivcn  what  1  could  loam  of  ^his  old  l)uildin<^- 
Locaust^  it  was  tlio  first  visiblo  symbol  of  Prosbytc^rian- 
isni  in  Saloni,  and  borauso  it  is  no  doubt  associated 
witli  ploasiin^  nu  ni(n*i(^s  in  tb(^  minds  of  many  ])n^s(>nt. 
Its  oroction  was  an  ovont  of  <>'roat  importance  in  do- 
volopini>-  and  os^al)lisliini>'  a  Prosbytorian  Church  in 
this  connnunity.  It  was  an  arduous  ont(^rpris(^  at  tlio 
time,  and  rogavdi^d  by  many  as  a  rash  and  hopeless 
undertakini>".  In  contrast  witli  oin*  present  costly  and 
beautiful  building,  it  marks  the  progress  our  church 
has  made  in  numbers  and  resources,  as  Avell  as  the 
chanac^  which  has  occ*urred  in  the  taste  and  st^h^  of 
living  of  the  j)eopIe.  When  it  was  opened  hardly 
iiftv  persons  attended  its  services,  and  a  part  of  these 
were  the  scattered  remnants  of  the  Penn's  Neck  and 
I.ogtown  churchc  s.  But  Avhile  these  have  become 
extinct,  this  church,  with  God's  blessing,  has  prospered 
and  grown  to  its  present  position  of  influence  and 
usefulness. 

The  flrst  Presbyterian  Church  in  Salem  was  organ- 
ized by  a  connnittee  of  the  Presbytery  of  Philadelphia, 
on  the  13tli  of  Nov.,  1821,  four  months  after  the  dedi- 
cation of  the  building.  This  is  the  record  from  the 
minutc^s  of  Presbytery:  "A  petition  w^as  sent  to  Pres- 
bvterv  from    the    inhabitants    of    Salem    and   Lower 


14  AN    HISTORICAL 

Penn's  Neck,  signed  by  Robert  G.  Johnson,  Elijah 
Dunn,  Samuel  Dunn,  Janips  Vanmeter  and  Robert  H. 
Vanmeter,  to  be  organized  into  a  Presbyterian  church, 
called  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Salem.  Pres- 
bytery then  appointed  Hcv.  ^Messrs.  Freeman,  Janvier, 
Biggs  and  Ballantine  to  meet  in  Salem,  Nov.  13,  IS'21, 
at  11  o'clock,  for  this  purpose  and  to  dissolve  thc^  old 
church  organization  at  Penn's  Neck." 

Writing  in  1882,  Col.  Johnson  says,  the  Church 
was  organized  with  six  members,  and  in  the  minutes 
of  the  first  meeting  of  Session  it  is  recorded  that  the 
foUowinsr  persons  were  transferred  to   this  Church  by 


^& 


P^ 


the  dissolution  of  the  Church  at  Penn's  Neck:  Sarah 
Lambson,  Sarah  Kean,  Martha  Burden,  John  Congie- 
ton,  Sarah  Congieton  and  Sarah  Lumly.  If  not  the 
original  six,  they  were  among  the  earliest  members  of 
the  church,  as  were  also  Robert  H.  Vanmeter,  Samuel 
Burden,  Robert  McMillen  and  Lydia  Mc]\Iillen. 

After  a  previous  election,  the  following  were  or- 
dained as  Ruling  Elders,  viz:  Samuel  Biu'den,  Robert 
Mc^Iillen  and  Robert  H.  Vanmeter.  Mr,  Burden 
had  been  a  member  of  the  Penn's  Neck  church,  Messrs. 
McMiUen  and  Vanmeter  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
at  Pittsgi'ove. 

Jan.  24,  1822,  an  election  for  Trustees  resulted  in 
the  choice  of  the  following  gentlemen,  who  were  duly 
inducted  into  office  by  taking  the  oath  prescribed  by 
the  law  of  the  State:  James  Bartram,  Dr.  James  Van 


iiK^tcn-,  Dr.  iMlwnrd  .1.  Kc^aslx^y,  Joel  b'itliiaii,  Sanmcl 
CojUKU-,  Saiinu>l  Ihiiin.  All  of  tluMii  liaxc  ])ass("(l 
invav  ('\(*('])t  ,)oc\  1^'itliian,  wlio  n^sidc^s  in  Oliio. 

The  Pirsbytc^iy  funiislied  sup])li(>s  for  tlic  ])ul])it 
until  tlic  Tall  of  lcS'2*2;  the  Tnistcvs  tlien  cni])l()V('(L 
with  consent  of  Pn^sbytery,  llcv.  Moses  T.  Harris, 
from  Philadelphia,  who  pc^rfornied  ])ast()ral  dn^ic^s  nntil 
October,  182'3,  or  for  one  year.  In  November,  18*23, 
Rev.  John  Bnrtt  was  invited  to  preach,  as  stated  snp- 
ply  for  six  months.  At  the  end  of  this  time  he  received 
the  nnanimons  call  of  the  congregation  to  become^ 
their  pastor,  and  was  ordained  and  installed  Jnne  8, 
1824.  Rev.  W.  M.  Engles  preached  the  sermon  from 
II.  C'or.,  V:  20.  Rev.  Dr.  W.  Neil  recited  the  pro- 
ceedings of  Presbytery,  explained  the  nature  of  the 
ordinance,  and  offered  the  ordaining  prayer.  Rev. 
E.  S.  Ely  gave  the  charge  to  the  pastor  and  the  peo- 
ple. Rev.  Messrs.  Janvier,  Ballantine,  Hoff,  Jones 
and  Lawrence  were  present  at  the  service. 

There  is  preserved  this  interesting  notice,  dated 
Nov.  15,  1824:  "The  Salem  Church  has  been  organ- 
ized about  three  years,  and  has  increased  from  six  to 
thirtv-one  members.  The  number  who  ofcneralh'  at- 
tend  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Burtt  is  about  two  hundred. 
The  congregation  agreed  to  give  Mr.  Burtt  three  hun- 
dred dollars,  and  his  fire  wood,  and  find  him  a  house 
to  live  in.  The  people  are  mostly  of  common  circum- 
stances, and  the   sum  that    can  be   convenicntlv  raised 


16  AN    HISTORICAL 

among-  them  will  not  exceed  two  hundred  and  fifty 
dollais.  From  the  attention  given  to  tlie  ministry  of 
Mr.  Bnrtt,  it  is  cofidently  expected  by  the  goodness  of 
DiAine  Providence,  tliat  in  a  few  years  the  Society  will 
be  so  fir  increased  in  numbers  that  they  may  be  able 
to  support  tlieir  minister  without  the  aid  of  their 
bretheren  elsewhere.  At  present  t]iey  will  l)e  thank- 
ful to  their  C'luistian  fric  nds  for  any  pecuniarv  assist- 
ance they  may  f;el  disposed  to  confer  upon  the  infuit 
churcli  at  Salem."  It  is  gTatifying  to  know  that  this 
expected  increase  in  numbers  and  resources  came,  and 
that  this  church  has  abundantly  repaid  in  her  contri- 
butions to  the  benevolent  work  of  th^  church,  any  aid 
she  may  have  received  in  her  infuicy  and  feblencss. 

At  the  congregational  meeting,  at  which  ]\Ir.  Burtt 
was  chosen  pastor,  Col.  R.  G.  Johnson  was  unani- 
mously elected  Ruling  Elder.  This  was  March  23, 
1824.  September,  1828,  or  in  about  four  years  from 
his  ordination,  Mr.  Burtt  notified  the  congregation 
that  he  should  apply  to  Presbytery  for  lea^e  to  resign 
his  pastoral  charge,  assigning  as  his  reason,  "the  pres- 
ent divided  state  of  the  session,  which  he  hoped  would 
be  healed  under  other  pastoral  administrations."  This 
desire  of  Mr.  Burtt  did  not  meet  the  vicAvs  of  the 
church,  and  he  was  led  to  abandon  his  purpose  for  the 
present.  It  led,  however,  to  the  election  of  three  new 
Elders,  October  29,  1828,  viz:  Dr.  James  Vanmeter, 
David  Johnson  and  Isaiah  Wood. 


DlSCOlHSK.  17 

In  April,  1S:]().  Mr.  Hurtt  aoaiii  prcssc^d  liis  wish 
to  rosio'ii  his  charge,  to  wliicli  tlio  ('()ii<4ro<4ati()ii  now 
ass(nit(Ml,  and  tlie  l^x^sbytory  dissohcd  tli(^  relation 
botweon  him  and  the  church  at  its  nicotino-  .\j)ril  20, 
1S:^().  ^[r.  Burtt  ser\(Ml  tlu^  church  therefore  as  its 
pastor  six  years,  and  ])revious  to  his  installation,  six 
months  as  stated  supply.  At  the  close  of  the  first 
year  of  his  labors  we  lia\e  seen  the  church  numbered 
thirty-one;  when  he  left  it  there  wer(^  tifty-two  nu^n- 
b(n*s,  an  increase  of  twenty-one  in  six  years,  as  rapid 
a  growth  under  the  circumstances  as  it  has  mad(^  in 
any  subsequent  period  of  its  history. 

Wliil(^  the  church  met  its  pecuniary  enga^^c^nients 
with  Mr.  l^urtt,  it  was  all  that  it  felt  abh^  to  do  for 
th(^  suy)port  of  the  gospel  until  DcM-ember,  1(S28,  when 
the  Session  reconnnendcnl  it  to  adopt  the  plan  of  the 
(ieneral  Assembly's  Committee  on  Missions,  and  to 
ask  each  member  to  c(^ntribute  annually  at  least  tifty 
cents  to  its  objects.  This  seems  to  have  been  the 
beginning  ot  the  contributions  of  this  church  to  the 
Boards  of  tlie  (xeneral  Assembly,  in  which  it  has 
])ersevered,  and  towards  which  its  liberality  has 
abounded  as  it  has  grown  in  resources  and  as  the 
Boards  haye  multiplied.  During  Mr.  P)urtt's  ministry 
a  pastor's  library,  yalued  at  $50. 00,  adapted  to  his 
special  tastes  and  wants,  was  presented  to  the  church 
by  Elias  Boudenot,  Esq.  A  Sabbath-school  library, 
valued  at  $*25.()()   was  also  presented  by  Miss  Ellet, 


18  AX    HISTORICAL 

of  New  York.  Some  of  the  Looks  of  the  pastor's 
Uhrary  remain,  ^yhile  those  given  hy  Miss  Ellet 
formed  tlie  nucleus  of  the  Sahhath-school  hhrary, 
which  has  heen  enhirged  and  re])lenished  from  year 
to  year.  ^ 

Mr.  Burtt  was  horn  in  Scotknd,  May  '2-].  1779. 
He  early  showed  a  taste  for  learning-  and  used  e^ery 
opportunity  to  improve  his  mind.  AVhen  only  sixteen 
he  was  decoyed  into  a  boat  and  impressed  into  the 
British  Navy,  where  he  ser^•ed  five  years,  and  at  last 
was  relieved  troin  his  painful  position  by  an  English 
officer,  who  had  become  interested  in  him.  After  his 
release  he  came  to  America,  studied  theology  at 
Princeton,  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  Presl)ytery 
of  Philadelphia,  and  in  Jinie,  1S21,  was  ordained 
pastor  of  this  church.  Subsequently  he  was  editor  of 
the  Presbyteriax^  later  ol  the  Standard,  a  religious 
paper  of  our  church.  He  received  calls  as  Professor 
to  Washington  College,  Pa.;  to  Hanover  Theologi- 
cal Seminary,  Ind.,  and  to  Oakland  College,  Miss. 
He  was  pastor  for  some  years  of  the  Fifth  Presby- 
terian Church,  Cincinnati,  and  for  seventeen  years  of 
the  Church  at  Blackwood  town.  New  Jersey.  He 
translated  for  years  the  French  letters  printed  in  the 
Presbyterian,  and  w^as  the  author  of  many  articles 
that  did  not  bear  his  name.  Mr.  Burtt  w^as  a  ripe 
scholar,  a  profound  theologian,  a  laborious  and  faith- 
ful   minister.      He    attracted    the    thoughtful    by  his 


DISCOVK'SK.  19 

])r(^n('hin^'.  and  was  W(^l!  cal'-ulatcd  to  build  up  a 
cliurcli  ill  its  iiifaiicv.  'Vhv  rr('sl)yt(Miaii  clnircli  in 
Salriii  i>-ainrd  a  d'cidc^d  impulse^  IVom  liis  labors,  and 
sonu^  who  wcvr  drawn  to  its  worsliij)  by  its  simplicity 
and  n()V(4tv,  wrr?  l(^d  at  l(>n<^-tli  to  nnito  with  it. 
I  lis  liTr  abounded  in  s(di-d(niyiii<>-  labors,  and  whon 
hil  stivn'o^th  failcMl  ;nul  his  work  sccnu  d  doiUN  he 
chosr  Salem  as  his  rostin<>-  place.  II(  re.  ]\v  had  first 
l)r  Vichrd  the  gospel;  luu'e,  numlx^'s  hid  ])een  1(^1  by 
him  to  Christ ;  here,  some  still  lingered  who  ivo-ard(Ml 
liim  as  Hieir  s])iritual  Father;  here,  his  name  uas  as 
ointnum^  ])oured  forth.  'Die  last  time  lie  publicly 
()fficiat(Ml  in  this  church  was  at  a  Communion  service, 
wlum  liis  mind  seiUKMl  "^o  la.il  a.fter  which  reason 
l)e:'ame  (entirely  dethroned,  and  (iod  at  lenoth  i>'ave 
his  wearv  spirit  the  rest  that  rem-dneth  for  his  p.'ople. 
liis  sepulchre  is  with  ns  unto  this  day.  The  ladies 
hav(»  set  his  portrait  b:  fore  you  to-d-iy  to  remind  you 
(  f  the  facr  vou  liav(^  oft(m  looked  upon,  and  of  the 
lips  from  which  yon  have  heard  the  word  of  life. 

In  1880,  after  the  dismission  of  Mr.  Burtt,  the  con- 
jrrea'ation  in^■ited  llev.  A.  H.  Parker,  formc^rlv  of 
AVrmoiit.  more  rec(Mitly  of  Cape  Island,  to  preach  for 
them  until  th(^  nu^eting  of  Presbytery.  In  April,  1S81, 
on  application  of  the  Session,  Presbytery  appointed 
Mr.  Parker  stated  supply  for  one  year.  He  is  spoken 
of  as  a  gentleman  of  many  amiable  cpialities  and  as  a 
a'ood  scholar,  thoui>-h  not  remarkably  attractive  as  a 


20  AX     HISTORICAL 

public  speaker.  The  church  prosp:n*e(l  under  his 
care;  for  at  tlu^  close  of  his  year's  service  there  were 
sixty  members  reported  in  full  comnumion.  It  was 
during  Mr.  Parker's  ministry  tliat  tlie  church  received 
a  legacy  of  nearly  $1, ()()()  in  l)ank  stock  from  Mr. 
John  Congleton,  a  former  Elder  in  the  Penn's  Neck 
church. 

The  churph  building  was  also  repaired  at  this  time, 
and  the  salary  of  the  pastor,  which  had  been  raised 
by  subscription,  and  which  had  been  contributed 
chiefly  by  a  few  individuals,  was  now  raised  by  an  as- 
sessment on  the  pews. 

Mr.  Parker  was  succeeded  in  1832  by  Rev.  Amsi 
Babbit,  who  continued  as  stated  supply  for  eighteen 
months.  Mr.  Babbit  is  described  as  a  plain  man,  not 
very  social  in  his  habits,  but  a  talented  speaker. 

After  him  came  Rev.  Thomas  Amerman,  of  New 
York,  who  remained  only  Ave  months.  Mr.  Amer- 
man was  a  pohshed  gentleman  of  fine  attainments, 
though  not  an  attractive  public  speaker.  These  three 
last  named  ministers  were  stated  supplies  and  not 
settled  pastors. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  congregation,  presided  over  by 
Rev.  J.  Kennedy,  a  unanimous  call  was  extended  to 
Rev.  Alexander  Heberton,  of  Kingston,  Lucerne 
County,  Pa.,  to  become  their  pastor.  He  accepted  the 
call  and  was  installed  December  15,  1834.  Rev. 
Mr.  Kennedy  preached  the  sermon  and  put  the   con- 


stitutioiial  (lucstioiis.  Rv\.  (i.  \\'.  Jjuivicr  <^av('  tlic 
(•liari»('  to  tlio  ]K^()])1(\  and  Mvx.  S.  l.awnaicc'  tlu^  cliar*^;' 
to  tlu*  pastor.  Mr.  HdH'rtoirs  ministry  continued  six 
velars.  I)urin<4  this  period  tlic  clnircli  l)uildin<i;  was 
i^nlargod,  cariK^tcHl  and  rc-dcdicatcd.  The  or<2:an  was 
pnrcliasod  and  ])lac(Hl  in  it,  which  is  now  in  usc^  in  this 
buihling.  Tlic  monthly  concert,  the  first  Monday 
evening  in  the  month,  was  established;  also,  a  nuH't- 
ing  for  prayer  in  hehalf  of  Sahbuth  schools,  the  second 
Monday  evenin":  in  tlu*  month.  A  Sewins:  Society  for 
the  beneyolent  work  of  tlu^  church,  and  a  Dorcas 
Society  for  the  relief  of  the  [K)or,  were  formed  in  the* 
congregation  and  collections  regularly  taken  u])  for 
the  different  boards  of  the  church.  Mr.  Heberton's 
salary  was  $»375  a  year.  He  preached  morning  and 
eyening  in  the  church  at  Salem,  and  occasionally 
Sabbath  afternoons  at  Woodstown,  Sharptown,  Quin- 
ton's  Bridge  and  Elsinboro.  He  ordained  as  Elders, 
George  C.  Rumsey,  Calyin  Belden  and  John  Wether- 
by.  Many  will  recall  Mr.  Heberton,  who  has 
visited  us  so  recently,  as  the  polished  gentleman,  the 
warm  friend  and  efficient  pastor.  He  w^as  affable  alike 
to  rich  and  poor.  His  purse  was  open  to  the  needy, 
his  sympathies  extended  to  the  afflicted,  and  his  house 
was  the  scene  of  generous  hospitality.  He  was  de- 
voted to  the  interests  of  the  church,  both  temporal 
and  spiritual,  and  obtained  from  his  wealthy  friends 
donations  for  its  enlargement  and  for  the  purchase  of 


2'1  AN    HISTOKICAL 

the  organ.  The  congTeg-ation  g^reatly  regretted  his 
reiiio^  ahwhile  he  also  left  it  with  unfeigned  reluctaiK'(\ 
He  has  since  been  abundant  in  labors  and  highly 
blessed  in  them;  and  if  liis  lif »  is  spared  until  the 
eominsr  October,  he  will  liave  hvvw  hftv  vears  in  the 
ministry. 

Mr.  Heberton  was  installed  by  the  Pre  sbytery  of 
Philadelphia,  but  dismissed  by  th^  Presbytery  of  West 
Jersey.  This  latter  body  was  composed  of  the 
churches  south  of  Trenton,  and  organized  Novembej 
5,  1839.  Since  this  time,  it  is  liardly  needful  to  ob- 
serve, the  Salem  church  has  bec^n  in  connection  with 
the  Presbytery  of  West  Jersey. 

Very  soon  after  Mr.  Pleberton  left,  the  S^^ssion  in- 
vited llev.  J.  T.  Helm,  of  the  Presbytery  of  Nashville, 
Tenn.,  to  j)reacli  to  the  congregation.  Mr.  Helm 
began  his  labors  June  25,  1S4{),  and  c:)ntinued  as 
stated  supply  until  October  1 ,  1  (S4'2.  Thc>n  a  call  was 
regularly  made  out  for  his  services  as  pastor,  and  he 
was  installed  by  a  ('ommittee  of  Presbytery  October  17, 
1842.  Hev.  G.  W.  Janvier  presided  and  gave  the 
charge  to  the  people;  llev.  J.  ^^^  E.  Ker  preached 
the  sermon,  and  Pev.  Dr.  S.  B.  Jones  gave  \\\v 
charge  to  the  pastor. 

Mr.  Helm's  pastorate  continued  ncnirly  twelve  years, 
inchiding  his  term  as  stated  supply.  During  this  time 
many  changes  occurred.  Dr.  James  Vanmetc^r  and 
Georg(^  C.  Humsey,  who    liad    served  tlu^    church    as 


DiscoriJSK.  ^2'] 

Eld(Ts,  wc^-c  callc'd  to  their  nn\;ir(l.  ( 'ol.  Jolmsoii. 
the  founder  and  ht  lu^laetor  of  tlie  churcli,  resio-iuul  tlie 
otHce  of  Elder  ;nid  ^\itlldr(  \v  Iroiu  the  congregation. 
Col.  Jolnison's  withdrawad  was  orcatly  to  be  ref^retted. 
From  the  first  he  had  been  tlu^  ardent  friend  and 
active  supportc^r  of  the  chnrch,  which,  indexed,  grew  out 
of  his  suggestion  and  was  carried  forward  for  years 
lar^'clv  throujifh  his  liberality.  He  welconuul  to  his 
hospitality  ministers  of  different  nanu^s,  and  was 
warmly  attached  to  the  friends  of  religion.  He  was 
(dccted  Elder  in  1824,  and  served  the  church  fliithfulh 
in  this  ofKce  for  twenty-three  years.  He  withdrew 
in  1847.  Henry  freeman  was  chosen  Elder  in  1847. 
and  lliomas  W.  Cattell,  Reuben  Hinchman  and 
Henry  1>.  Ware  were  elected  to  this  office  in  1851. 
A  librarv  for  the  use  of  the  congregation  was  (estab- 
lished during  Mr.  Helm's  ministry  and  chiefly  through 
his  efforts,  ^diss  ir'rudence  I.  Keasbey  beqmnithed 
'1, ()()()  towards  the  c^rection  of  a  new  building  that 
was  in  contemplation.  Dr.  James  Vanmeter  also  be- 
queathed a  farm  hi  in  Pittsgrove  township,  tlu^  income 
of  which  is  to  be  perpetually  used  to  sustain  the 
preaching  of  the  gospel.  Dr.  ^^anmeter's  will  w^as  not 
witnessed  and  th(^  legacy  could  not,  therefore,  be 
legally  claimed;  but  his  son.  Dr.  Thomas  J.  Vanmeter, 
gave  a  (IchhI  of  the  property  to  the  church,  in  accord- 
ance with  his  father's  wishes.  TIk^  Trustees  accepted 
the  a'ift  with  a  cordial  vote  of  thanks  to  Dr.  ^^uuneter 


•24  AN    HISTORICAL 

and  his  tamily  for  promptly  and  voluntarily  confirmino' 
the  intended  heqiiest  of  their  fluher  to  the  church. 

In  1847.  and  largely  through  the  faith  and  zeal  of 
tlie  ladies  of  the  congregation,  the  huilding  was  pur- 
chased, which  is  now  occupied  as  a  parsonage.  Thc^ 
cost  was  $'2,(S()().  Twelve  hundred  dollars  were  raised 
by  a  general  subscription,  and  six  hundred  contributed 
h\  the  ladies'  sewing  society.  This  sum  of  $1,8^^^) 
was  paid  when  the  deed  was  drawn;  the  balance. 
$1,000,  w^as  paid  at  different  times,  but  the  mortgage 
was  cancelled  May  4,  185 '2. 

In  1847  there  was  also  a  reorganization  of  th(^ 
Board  of  Trustees  and  an  (dection  of  six  new  members, 
viz:  George  C.  Eumsey.  John  Tawson,  Dr.  Charles 
Hannah,  William  J.  Shinn,  Calvin  Belden  and  Thomas 
W.  Cattell.  F.  Lambson,  who  had  been  elected  in 
1831,  constituted  witli  these  the  seven  Trustees  re- 
(piircMl  bv  the  civil  hnv,  and  under  their  direction  the 
temporalities  of  the  church  were  conducted  for  several 
vears.  The  church  enjoyed  a  good  degree  of  pros- 
peritv  under  Mr.  Helm's  ministry.  After  many  trials 
and  reverses  it  become  a  united  and  influential  society. 
Mr.  Helm  sustained  himself  partly  by  teachnig  the 
/Vcademy,  and  through  his  labors  this  cliurch  materially 
promoted  the  interests  of  education  in  this  community. 
His  salary  was  what  the  Treasurer  could  collect,  never 
exceeding  five  hundred  dollars  a  year.  Half  of  the 
time  he  paid  for  a  house  from  his  salary,  the  remain- 


DISCOURSE.  25 

fU'i*  ol*  the  time  lie  occupied  the  parsonai^e.  One 
speaks  of  him:  -as  a  man  of  talent,  eminent  for 
scholastic  and  Biblical  learning,  sympathizing  and  de- 
voted as  a  pastor,  and  in  view  of  his  feeble  health, 
abundant  in  labors.'' 

He  says  in  a  letter  at  my  request:  '-I  came  to  Salem 
as  a  young  man  witli  considerable  acquisition  for  my 
age,  but  with  inexperience  and  no  taking  popular 
gifts.  The  field  Avas  difficult  and  discouraging,  but 
interesting  and  requiring  chiefly  and  largely  the  strong 
virtues,  patience,  steadf^^istness  and  hope,  even  against 
liope.  The  town  itself  was  small,  population  2008, 
not  i^iowin":.  and  its  life  mo  vine:  in  '<^  leaden  flow. 
The  congregation  was  small,  not  homogeneous,  con- 
taining little  w?alth  or  business  enterprise,  and  under 
m\  enormous  pressure  of  (Mi^>ide  adverse  influence. 
At  my  arri^  a!  i^  was  in  a  \  ery  distracted  condition,  yet 
it  contained  some  precious  material;  the  tone  of 
Christian  life  was  g-ocxl;  an  earnest  ministry  was  wel- 
come. It  was  my  privilege  to  gain  and  retain  the 
thorough  confidence  of  my  parishioners.  They  were 
very  dear  to  my  h^nirt.  This  was  the  case  when  I 
left  and  I  have  good  reason  to  believe  continued  so 
for  years.  The  brief  flicts  of  my  ministry  would  make 
a  very  inconsiderable  sum  in  statistics;  yet  they  fill  a 
large  place  in  my  life — a  larger  still  in  the  memor}*  of 
my  heart.  Should  I  Aisit  Salem  now  I  should  be  a 
stranger   to   a   generation   that    knew  me  not — dear, 


'^^  Ay    HISTORICAL 

kind,  faithful  prcp:(\  The  greater  part  liave  gone  to 
their  rest.  I,  too,  fl^el  the  shadows  lengtliening  towards 
the  evening.  The  tasks  of  Kfe  must  soon  he  laid 
down;  'hut  there  remaineth  a  rest.'  " 

Mr.  Hehn  was  dismissed  April  20,  1(S;V2.  The 
Session,  in  hehalf  of  the  congregation,  expressed  their 
sorrow  at  the  separation,  their  confidence  in  his 
character  and  respect  for  his  talents,  with  their  best 
wishes  for  liis  future  prosperity  and  usefulness.  Mr. 
liehn,  as  is  well  known,  subsequently  entered  the 
Episcopal  church  and  ministry,  and  is  now  settled  in 
Sing  Sing,  New  York.  - 

Af'or  giving  a  unanimous  call  to  llev.  Robinson  P, 
IJimn,  which  he  declined,  the  congregation  cordially 
united  upon  Rev.J)aniel  Stratton,  of  Newburn,  X.  G„ 
at  a  meeting  held  June  23,  1852. 

Mr.  Stratton  was  installed  October  14,  1852,  by 
the  following  Committee  of  Presbytery:  Pev  G.  W. 
Janvier,  who  presided  and  proposed  the  constitutional 
questions;  Pev.  S.  K.  Kollock,  who  preached  the 
sermon;  Pev.  Dr.  S.  B.  Jones,  who  delivered  the  charge 
to  the  pastor,  and  Pev.  John  Burtt,  who  gave  the 
charge  to  the  people.  Mr.  Stratton's  ministry  con- 
tinued fourteen  years  and  ended  with  his  death, 
August  24,  '  18(){i  He  had  written  his  fourteenth 
anniversary  sermon,  which  he  expected  to  preach  on 
Sabbath,  August  12;  but  it  was  read  after  his  decease 


DISCOUKSE.  V< 

by    lv(  V.  J()s(^|)]i    W.  Hubbard    Aui^'Ust    '2(),    wlio    tlic 
Ibllowiii,^-  (lay  preacbed  liis  memorial  s(n-moii. 

Mr.  Strattoii    won    to   an   extraordinary  degree   tb(* 
love  and  confidence*  of  bis  pcoj)le  and  tbe  Respect   and 
admiration  cf  tbe  connn unity.     I  need  not  dwell  uixon 
bis  life  and  cbaracter  witb  wbicb  you  are  famibar.  and 
wbicli  bave  been  set  before  you  on  previous  occasions. 
A  native  of  Bridgeton  and  graduate  of  tbe  College  of 
New  Jersey,  be  studied  tbeology  at  Princeton  and  also 
at  Union  Seminary,  ^"'a.     He  was  licensed   to  preacb 
by  tiie   Presbytery  of  West  Hanover,  and  for   fourteen 
years   ^vas    pastor  of  tbe    cburcb    at  Xewburn,  N.  C, 
wbere  b(*  was  resp-cted  r:nd  beloved  by  bis  own  clia.rge 
raid  by  larg:^  numbers  beyond  its  bounds.      Wb:  n  ^dr. 
Stratum  came  ^o  Salem  tbe  cburrb  was  weak  a.nd  dis- 
tracted ;   wb(^n  b(^  was  called  away  b}'  dea^b,  a.fc  r  a 
pas^ora.te  of  fouvtec^n  y(^ars,  be  left  it  enlarged  in  num- 
bers   and    influence,  entirely    barmonious    in    fjeling, 
accustomed  to  do  liberal  tilings  for  Cbristian  benevo- 
lence, alive  to  its  mission  and  ind)u?d  witb  bis  own 
beautiful  spirit.      My.  Stra.t'xn  Avas  a  man  of  rare  good 
sense,  synmietrical   in  cbaracter,  biglily  bonored  as   a 
pastor,  i)r'eacber  and  Presbyter.     He  w^as  alive  to  every 
interest  of  tbe  cburcb  and  tbe  country,  courteous  and 
dignified,  a  genial  companion,  fiitbfnl  friend  a.nd  wise 
counsellor.      Tbougb  an  invalid,  he  was  diligent  in  bis 
work,  wbik^  bis  peaceful  deatb  was  a  fitting  sequel  to 
bis  bolv  life.      Presbytery  and  people,  bis  family  and 


28  AN    HISTORICAL 

the  community  mingled  their  tears  in  vic^w  of  his  de- 
parture, while  they  blessed  God  for  his  example  and 
usefulness. 

The  present  beautiful  building  was  erected  during 
^Ir.  Stratton's  ministry.  The  con«Te«'ation  took  action 
in  reference  to  it  at  a  public  meeting  July  5,  1853,  at 
which  they  unanimously  adopted  the  following:  ''Re- 
solved, that  in  view  of  the  inadequate  provision  now 
offered  by  the  building  in  which  we  statedly  worship, 
<ind  in  view  of  the  increase  of  population  in  this  town, 
we  believe  it  to  be  expedient.in  dependence  upon  God, 
to  erect  a  more  commodious  house  of  worship  for  the 
use  of  this  church  and  congregation."  The  fol- 
lowing were  appointed  a  building  comnuttee  to  carry 
out  this  resolution:  Thomas  W.  Cattell,  Closes  Rich- 
man,  Jr.,  lleuben  Hinchman,  Calvin  Bclden  and 
Samuel  Prior,  Jr.  The  corner  stone  was  laid  with 
appropriate  ceremonies  July  17,  1854,  about  one  year 
after  this  action  of  the  congregation.  Rev.  Daniel 
Stratton  presided  and  offered  prayer,  Rev.  J.  I.  Helm 
made  the  address,  while  Rev.  Drs.  Kollock  and  Jones 
and  Rev.  Messrs.  Allen  H.  Brown  and  G.  W.  Janvier 
took  part  in  the  highly  interesting  services.  Records 
of  the  church,  religious  and  city  papers,  with  other 
documents  of  interest,  were  deposited  in  a  case  sur- 
mounted by  a  white  stone  slab,  in  wdiich  was  cut  the 
date  of  the  founding  and  building  of  the  church. 
This  was  the  corner  stone.     The  architect  was  John 


i)is("()rK'SK.  29 

McArtlmr,  of  Pliila(l('l])lna  ;  ^lic  mason,  IJiclianl  ('. 
Ualliii^-iM-,  ol*  Salciii ;  thr  liiiildt  r.  A.  \;\u  Kirk.  (»!' 
Tn^nton.  Its  diiiunis'K^iis  arc  4S  i(  (^t  w'ulr  bv  S()  fret 
loiio-;   luio-ht  of  strei)I(%  1S4  Icet;   cost,  $'i7,()()(). 

It  was  dedicated  October  15,  LSoG  ;  scu'nioii  by  liev. 
Dr.  Jones;  reading-  of  the  scriptures  and  other  (wer- 
cises  by  lie  v.  Dr.  Kollock,  llev.  (j.  W.  Janvier  and 
John  Burtt.  former  pastor.  The  Buikhng-  (Jonnnittce 
on  finishing  their  labors  reported  December  24,  l.sr)(). 
that  the  cost  of  the  church  edifice.  lot.  slieds,  furni- 
ture, Szc.  amounted  to  $27,047.09.  They  add:  '-a 
period  of  about  two  years  and  a  half  ha^■e  elapsed 
since  the  corner-stone  w^as  laid.  The  work  has  ad- 
vanced slowly;  but  circumstances  unforeseen  and 
beyond  the  control  of  your  committee  occasioned  the 
(kla}.  A  kiml  Providence  has  enabled  us  to  com- 
])lete  tlu^  building  without  any  serious  interruption, 
while  the  almost  unexampled  liberality  of  the  congre- 
gation and  friends  of  tlie  church  has  tended  greatly 
to  encourage  us  and  lighten  our  labor  in  the  prosecu- 
tion of  our  enterj)rise.  The  entire  cost  has  exceeded 
the  original  estimate;  but  we  have  been  prompted  to 
these  increased  ex])enditures  by  a  pardonable  zeal  to 
present  to  thc^  congregation  a  handsome  and  substan- 
tial edifice  in  which  we  and  our  children  may  worship 
the  Lord  our  God."  The  names  of  those  who  gave 
the  largest  amounts  for  this  building  are  Calvin  Bel- 
dt^n    and    family,    Iveuben    ITinchman,    Rev.    Daniel 


30  AN    HISTORICAL 

Stratton  and  family,  including  $1,000  from  Miss  H. 
E.  Hancock,  Mrs.  Margaret  Eumsey  and  family, 
Thomas  W.  Cattell  and  family,  and  Dr.  Thomas  J. 
A^anmeter  and  family.  The  sums  contributed  by  these 
donors  amounted  to  $13,773.50.  The  liberality  of  the 
whole  congregatioii  and  of  friends  in  other  places  was 
generous  and  cordial.  Entire  harmony  preyailed.  The 
ladies  showed  theirt  accustomed  activity  and  furnished 
the  church  at  their  own  expense  from  the  profits  of 
th3ir  sewing  society,  except  the  chandelier,  the  Bible, 
cushion  and  conununion  table.  Thesc^  were  g-'fts  from 
other  friends.  Sabbath-school  w-as  first  held  in  the 
new  building  the  second  Sabbath  of  November,  1856, 
after  a  recess  of  two  weeks,  the  only  recess  it  had  had 
in  its  history  of  thirty-two  years.  This  was  occasioned 
by  the  dismantling  of  the  old  church  of  its  pews  to 
seat  the  Lecture  lloom  of  the  new  church.  Tuesday 
evening,  November  11,  the  first  weekly  lecture  was 
held  in  it,  and  Thanksgiving  was  observed  in  it  No- 
\ember  20th. 

This  building  was  spoken  of  in  the  papers  at  the 
time,  "as  beautiful  and  worthy  of  the  taste  of  the 
architect  and  liberality  ot  the  people,  as  furnished 
throuo-hout  and  an  ornament  to  the  town.  It  was 
regarded  as  a  noteworthy  fact  that  a  church  of  one 
hundred  members  a.nd  eighty  families  had  contributed 
$17,000,  while  there  had  been  from  the  beginning  of 
the  enterprise  an  increase  in  the  nimibers  that  attend- 


i)i:,rouKsE. 


31 


rd  pul.lic  worsliip.  Tlu^  (Icnruid  for  \)c\\s  wa^  sucli 
jis  to  surprise  tlir  most  s'ir.<j;-uiiit\  and  a  uvw  intt^ros^ 
was  o-ivon  to  ovory  r  ^igions  s[  rvic,(\  The  liis'ory  ol" 
tliis  ontorprisc,  it  is  a.dded,  sliows  it  i:^  a  wise  libc^rality 
to  erert  substantial  houses  of  worship;  for  it  advancers 
tlie  temporal  and  spiritual  prosperity  of  tlie  peo])le." 
The  sumof  $L52().5()  wasrceeived  as  premiums  on  tin' 
sale  of  pews,  and  tlie  'l^'ustees  felt  able  to  raise  the 
pastor's  salary  from  |()()(),  whidi  he  received  at  his 
settlement,  to  $1,()()(),  together  with  the  free  use  of 
the  parsonage.  ^ 

After  Mr.  Stratton's  death  no  candidates  were  heard 
for  three  months,  fiom  respect  to  his  memory;  Rev. 
Robert  J.  Burtt  supplied  the  pulpit.  Several  months 
later,  or  December  28,  1866,  the  congregation  elected 
Rev.  F.  W.  1-rauns.  (f  the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore, 
as  their  pastor,  at  a  salary  ol  -11,500  a  \c'di\  wdth  the 
use  of  the  ])arsonnge. 

Mr.  P>rauns-  first  sermon  on  coming  to  Salem  was 
from  the  t(  xt,  '^Vrt  tliou  hc^  that  should  come,  or  look 
Ave  for  another!"  The  congregation  were  so  w^ell 
satisfied  with  it  they  concludod  it  was  he  that 
should  come,  and  it  was  needless  to  look  for  another. 
Mr.  Brauns  was  installed  April  25,  1867.  Rev.  Wil- 
liam Cornell  presided.  Rev.  Dr.  William  C.  Cattell 
preached   the    sermon.  Rev.  E.  P.  Shields   gave    the 


32  AN    HISTORICAL 

charge  to  tlie  pastor,  and  "Rev.  Dr.  C.  E.  Gregory  the 
charge  to  the  people. 

Mr.  Braims  was  a  patient  student,  a  ripe  scholar,  a 
decided  Calvinist,  and  an  earnest  preacher  of  marked 
ability.  He  won  the  respect  and  confidence^  of  the 
congregation  and  greatly  to  their  regret,  after  a  minis- 
try of  sixteen  months,  accepted  a  call  to  the  Seventh 
Presbyterian  church,  Cincinnati.  Mr.  Brauns'  health 
afterwards  failed,  and  for  some  years  he  has  had  no 
regular  charge  of  a  church,  and  has  only  preached 
occasionally. 

November  15,  1866,  John  Lawson,  William  B. 
Robertson,  William  Patterson  and  Maskell  Ware  were 
(dected  Trustees;  Vice,  Dr.  Charles  Hannah,  Calvin 
l^elden  and  John  Lawson,  deceased,  and  AA'illiam  J. 
Shinn  removed  from  the  bounds  of  the  congregation. 

In  1867  the  ladies,  with  the  consent  of  the  Trus- 
tees and  aided  by  a  committee^  of  gentlemen,  repaired 
and  enlarged  the  parsonage    at  an  expense  of  f  '2,o()0, 

Th(^  church  was  without  a  pastor  for  six  months 
after  Mr.  Brauns  left.  During  this  time  the  pulpit 
was  supplied  under  direction  of  the  session.  Differ- 
ent candidates  w^ere  heard,  and  on  January  25,  1869^ 
the  congregation  unanimously  called  Kev.  William 
Bannard,  D,  D,,  of  the  Presbytery  ol  Albany,  N.  Y.. 
He  was  installed  by  a  Committee  of  Presbytery  April 
27,  1869,     Rev.  H,  H.  Beadle  preached  the  se^mon^ 


DISrOUKSK.  J^3 

l^cv.  John  S.  Stewnrd  <^<iv(^  the  (•har<i:('  to  the  ])ast()r. 
and  Ucy.  Kolxn-t  .1.  l;urtt  the  charge  to  the  people. 
His  ministry  lias  thus  far  extended  over  seven  years, 
and  its  incidents  are  familiar  to  you.  Peace  and  pro- 
gress have  attended  it.  The  church  deht  ol  'S(^, ()()() 
lias  been  paid  as  a  memorial  oft'ering.  The  church 
])uilding  has  been  improved  and  repaired  at  a  further 
<*ost  of  •$'4,()()(),  while  a  goodly  number  have  been  added 
to  its  membership,  and  its  ])rosperity  has  at  least 
(quailed  that  of  any  previous  period  of  its  history. 

It  will  be  seen  from  this  brief  outline  that  the 
growth  of  this  church  has  been  gradual  but  constant. 
The  field  for  its  labors  at  the  beginning  was  limited. 
Few  Presbyterians  were  found  in  the  community. 
The  population  of  the  place  was  small,  not  exceeding 
six  hundred;  for  it  had  only  one  hundred  voters. 
Other  denominations  had  the  giound  and  were 
thoroughly  established.  It  encountered  prejudice  and 
opposition,  and  only  by  patient  and  persistent  effort 
grew  in  numbers  and  resources.  Its  teachings  were 
assailed,  its  necessity  disputed  and  its  riglit  to  (^xist 
called  in  quest4on.  But  it  has  vindicated  the  wisdom 
of  its  establishment  by  its  steady  progress,  and  has 
proved  by  its  fruits  that  it  is  a  vine  of  the  Lord's 
planting.  Its  ministers  have  held  forth  a  pure  gospel, 
and  its  members  have  illustrated  in  thvir  upright 
lives  and  active  charities  its  saving  power.  It  is  not 
too  much  to  claim  that  Salem  is  the  better  every  way 


:34  AN    HISTORICAL 

for  the  presence  in  it  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Its 
tasteful  and  commodious  edifice  is  an  ornament  to  the 
city,  while  the  culture  of  its  people,  their  enterprise 
in  business,  their  public  spirit  and  readiness  for  every 
good  work  have  added  to  its  social  attractions  and 
material  prosperity.  It  has  brought  into  the  King- 
dom of  Christ  numbers  who  might  never  have  been 
reached  by  other  influences.  It  has  raised  up  those 
who  have  become  active  workers  for  education  and 
religion.  One  of  its  former  members  is  President  of  a 
CoUege,  another  is  Professor — both  of  them  are  preach- 
ers of  the  gospel;  while  three  others  are  settled 
pastors.  Several  of  its  young  women  became  wives 
of  ministers.  Its  young  men  are  found  in  prominent 
cities  and  other  places  doing,  let  us  hope,  faithful 
service  for  God  and  man.  Many  rise  up  and  fall  it 
blessed  as  the  channel  through  which  divine  grace  has 
brought  peace  to  their  sin-burdened  hearts,  As  its 
beautiful  spire,  rising  above  surroundnig  objects,  at- 
tracts attention  from  all  directions,  so  its  influence  has 
gone  out  in  many  ways;  while  its  works  of  love  have 
made  it  as  a  city  set  on  a  hill  that  cannot  be  hid. 

Since  its  organization  in  1821,  with  six  members, 
554  have  been  added,  an  average  of  about  ten  per 
year. 

From  1822  to  1830,  a  period  of  nine  years,  includ- 
ing Mr.  Burtt's  ministry,  fifty-nine  were  received  to 
the  church,  an  average  of  six  and  five-ninths  a  year. 


DlSrOUKSK.  %') 

From  1880  to  \H:],i,  umlrr  supplies,  t\v(Mity-('i;^lit 
were  received,  an  av(Taj2:e  of  sevc^n  a.  year.  From 
1835  to  1 840,  under  ^Ir.  Heberton,  the  additions  were 
sixty,  an  averaj^^e  of  ten  a  year.  From  18-40  to  1852. 
or  during  Mr.  Helm's  ministry,  ninety  were  received, 
an  average  of  seven  and  a  half  a  year.  From  1852  to 
1 S66^  under  Mr.  Stratton's  ministry  of  fourteen  years, 
one  hundred  and  fifty-one  were  recei^ed,  an  average 
of  nearly  eleven  a  year.  From  1866  to  1869,  includ- 
ing Mr.  Brauns'  ministry  of  sixteen  months,  forty-four 
were  recei^  ed,  an  average  of  fourteen  a  year.  From 
1869  to  1876,  or  during  seven  years  of  the  present 
pastorate,  one  hundred  and  twenty-two  have  been  re- 
ceiv(^d,  an  average  of  nearly  eighteen  a  year. 

These  figures  show  steady  and  increasing  grow  tli. 
The  additions  have  been  few  each  year,  but  no  year 
has  passed  without  them.  Three  hundred  and  sixt} 
liave  been  added  by  examination,  and  two  hundred  by 
letter;  the  larger  portion,  tlu^refore,  have  been  received 
on  profession.  'I'here  have  been  three*  seasons  ol' 
special  religious  interest,  followed  by  larger  ingather- 
ings than  usual.  The  first  in  1858,  in  the  earlier 
part  of  Mr.  Stratton's  ministry,  when  twenty-seven 
were  admitted  to  the  church — twenty-one  on  examina- 
ti(m.  The  second  in  1866,  in  the  last  year  of  liis 
ministry,  when  the  church  welcomed  thirty-one  to  her 
fellowship — twenty-nine  on  examination.  And  again 
in  1869.  during    the    present  pastorate,  when    thirty- 


36  AN    HISTORICAL 

five  were  received — thirty  on  examination,  the  hirg-est 
numher  admitted  in  any  one  year  of  the  churches 
history.  These  additions  greatly  encouraged  hoth 
ministers  and  people,  while  their  influence  remains 
unto  this  day.  They  are  also  a  standing  encourage- 
ment and  call  to  work  and  pray  for  even  larger  bless- 
ings in  the  adding  of  g-reater  numbers  to  our 
Communion. 

If  we  compare  five  hundred  and  sixty,  the  total 
number  that  have  been  in  communion  with  the 
church  up  to  April  1876,  with  the  two  hundred  and 
two  we  then  reported  as  our  membership,  we  see  the 
church  has  lost  by  death,  dismissal  and  removab  three 
hundred  and  fifty-eight  members.  As  an  illustration 
of  its  losses  and  changes,  it  may  be  noticed  that  in  1870 
we  reported  one  hundred  andeighty  in  communion.  This 
year,  or  in  1876,  we  report  two  hundred  and  two, 
though  there  have  been  received  in  the  mean  time 
one  himdred  and  twenty-two.  The  church  has  lost 
therefore  the  past  seven  years  by  death  and  removal, 
one  hundred  members. 

These  figures  show  that  the  additions  to  it  have  bepn 
more  numerous  in  its  later  than  earlier  years  and  prove, 
therefore  that  its  growth,  though  slow,  is  increasing;  we 
may  hope,  too,  that  as  in  nature  the  tree  of  slow 
growth  is  most  valuable  and   enduring,  this   church 


will  continue    to  flourisli  with  incrcnising   yoars    and 
bear  richer  fruit  as  it  i^^ains  in  members. 

The  constant  drain  on  it  arises  in  part  IVom  its  lo- 
cation in  this  city  wlu^re  so  littk^  employment  is  found 
for  our  enterprising-  youth,  who  find  it  needful  there- 
fore, to  leave  their  homes  and  seek  business  in  other 
places.  This  state  of  things  results  in  the  forming  of 
few  new  families  in  thc^  congregation.  The  young 
men  who  go  from  home,  generally  marry  away  from 
home,  while  the  young  ladies  marry  out  of  the  con- 
gregation and  go  to  otlier  places  or  other  churches. 

The  past  year  has  given  us  fresh  evidence  of  this 
tendency;  for  of  some  ten  marriages  in  the  congregation 
within  the  year,  not  one  new  family  has  been  added  to 
it,  but  almost  all  who  have  married  have  gone  from  it. 

These  facts,  however,  should  not  discourage,  but  in- 
cite us  to  constant  effort  to  make  good  these  losses  by 
gathering  in  those  who  are  connected  with  no  re- 
ligious society. 

The  pecuniary  liberality  of  this  church  is  one  of  its 
marked  features,  and  no  doubt,  one  cause  of  its  pros- 
perity.    For  "the  liberal  soul  shal  be  made  fat" 

From  the  first  it  has  been  self-sustaining,  and  though 
it  could  pay  but  a  small  salery  to  its  pastor,  it  was 
large  for  the  number  of  its  members,  and  compared 
favorably  with  salaries  at  that  time.  It  has  also  giv- 
en  freely  to  general  objects  of  benevolence  and  to  all 
the  Boards  of  the   General   Assembly.     It  has   thus 


38  AN    HISTORICAL 

shown  its  loyalty  to  the  church  and  confidence  in  its 
wisdom  as  well  as  its  interest  in  the  Avork  of  spreading' 
the  o:ospel  through  the  world.  Up  to  1835  no  record 
was  kept  of  the  contributions  of  the  church.  From 
that  year  we  have  its  annual  report  to  Presbytery, 
In  six  years  under  Mr.  Herberton  its  contributions  to 
benevolence  were  $899.55.  The  next  twelve  years 
imder  Mr.  Helm  they  amounted  to  about  $2,800. 00, 
which  sum  does  not  include  $2,000  paid  for  the  par- 
sona^re  In  fourteen  vears  under  Mr.  Stratton  the  con- 
gregation  gave  for  benevolence  $5,966;  for  its  own  ex- 
pense including  salary,  care  of  chiu'ch  and  a  new  build- 
ing $50,992;  congregational  expenses  were  not  reported 
until  1852.  We  cannot  estimate  them,  therefore,  pre- 
vious to  that  date.  They  could  hardly,  however,  have 
])een  less  than  f  500  a  year  or  69,000  for  eighteen 
years. 

The  next  three  years,  including  the  sixteen  montlis 
of  Mr.  Brauns'  ministry,  th-re  was  given  for  benevolence^ 
$2,187;  for  congregational  expenses  H  1.909.  Dur- 
ing the  past  seven  years  $6,988  hav(^  been  given  tor 
benevolence,  and  $28,185  for  the  uses  of  the  congrega- 
tion. This  includes  $6,000.  the  amount  of  the  debt 
on  the  church,  and  -^4,000  paid  for  repairs  and  im- 
provements. The  church  has,  therefore,  given  during 
this  last  period  nearly  $  1,000  a  ye<«rfor  benevolence, 
and  over  $4,000  a  year  for  its  own  debts  and  uses.  This 
is  not  a  bad  showins:   for   a   membership  of  less  than 


DISCOURSE.  39 

two  hundred  on  the  average,  while  it  also  ilhistrates 
the  progress  of  the  ehureh  in  the  grace  of  giving,  as  it 
has  advanced  in  other  resp?cts  during  this  time.  Its 
gifts,  tlierefore,  since*  1S:]5,  or  for  a  period  of  forty- 
one  years,  amount  to  v  1 8,835  for  henevolence;  and  to 
'ii  101,084  for  congrgational  purposes,  making  a  total 
of -^  120,919;  nor  does  this  large  amount  include  all 
•that  the  people  liae  given;  for  many  sums  are  not  re- 
ported to  the  officers  of  the  church  and  have  not  there- 
fore been  put  upon  its  records.  Presbyterianism  in 
Salem  must,  however,  have  vitality  when  it  freely 
gives  this  large  sum  to  sustain  its  own  doctrine  and 
worship,  and  to  extend  the  gospel  to  others. 

The  Sahhath  School  has  been  an  important  element 
in  the  succ:^ss  and  growth  of  this  church.  It  has  af- 
forded a  field  for  christian  effort  and  attracted  to  itseli' 
the  active  and  zealous  members  of  the  church.  It 
has  secured  the  love  of  the  children  and  youth,  at- 
tached them  to  its  doctrines  and  order,  trained  them 
for  its  services  and  led  many  of  them  into  its  commu- 
nion. It  has  been  blessed  from  the  first  with  devoted 
superintendents  and  teachers,  while  the  ministers  have 
rightly  regardc^d  it  as  a  prominent  and  promising  de- 
partment of  their  labors. 

The  beginning  of  Sabbath  Schools  in  Salem  is 
veiled  in  obscurity.  Dr.  iNIurphy  who  carefully  exam- 
ined the  subject  a  few  years  ago,  concludes  that 
the  first  Sabbath    School    in    this   citv  was   a   First- 


40  AN    HISTORICAL 

day  School  established  m  1813,  and  contmiied  until 
the  year  1818.  It  was  held  in  the  school  house  on 
Margaret's  Lane,  afterwards  South,  now  Walnut 
street.  This  school  was  under  the  care  of  Friends, 
and  was  intended  for  secular  rather  than  religious 
instruction.  It  was  held  on  First-day  to  accom- 
modate all  who  wished  to  attend,  and  especially  for 
those  who  thought  they  had  no  other  time  to  avail 
themselves  of  its  opportunities.  There  are  those  liv- 
ing who  remember  this  school,  some  who  were  schol- 
ars in  it  and  who  recollect  seeing  old  men  and  women 
there  learning  to  read.  The  second  Sabbath  School 
in  Salem  is  supposed  to  have  been  the  Union  School, 
estabhshed  in  1819,  and  held  in  the  Academy  building. 
It  embraced  all  the  children  of  Salem  that  attended 
Sabbath  School  and  was  sustained  with  regularity  and 
interest.  It  had  upwards  of  sixty  scholars  and  was 
not  disbanded  until  denominational  schools  were 
organized.  It  was  carried  on  chieflv  bv  the  ladies,  in 
co-operation  with  their  pastors,  among  whom  may  be 
mentioned,  Mrs.  Yorke,  Mrs.  Cooper,  Mrs.  Van  Me- 
ter, Mrs,  Rumsey,  Mrs.  Clement  and  Miss.  Dick.  The 
Presbvterian  Sabbath  School  was  probably  organized 
in  1824,  soon  after  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Burtt,  when 
the  different  denominations  organized  schools  of  their 
own  and  the  Union  School  was  disbanded.  A  cata- 
logue of  books  belonging  to  the  'SSabbath  School  Asso- 
ciation of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  Salem,"  and 


1)1  SCOT' USE.  41 

])riiit(Hl  1)y  Snmiu^l  l^rior  'm  1S:]7.  stat(^s  it  was  oro-ni- 
v/.vd  in  18*24.  About  tliis  time  Mr.  Burtt  purcliasf d 
for  the  use  of  the  teacliers  a  copy  of  J(^wis}i  Auticjui- 
ties,  and  Miss  Ellet  sent  twcMity-tive  dollars  wortli 
of  books  for  a  Library.  Library  l)ooks,  therefore, 
wf^re  early  introduced  and  they  liavc^  been  sup])li(Ml  to 
the  school  throu<>-h  all  its  subsequent  history.  There 
is  before  nie  a  catalogue  of  books  in  manuscri])t,  dated 
1827.  with  ])y--aws  f)r  the  re.>-ula^ion  of  the  library 
and  signed  ^lary  Van  ^Nleter,  secretary;  11.  Van  Me- 
ter, superintendent.  These,  no  doubt,  wTrc'  the  first 
books  used  in  the  school  and  numbered  two  hundred 
and  eighteen  volumes.  The  present  library  contains  six 
hundred  and  ninety-seven  vobnnes.  The  catechisms  of 
our  church  have  been  diligently  taught  in  the  scliool  and 
the  aim  has  been  to  instruct  the  children  in  its  doc- 
trines, as  well  as  to  bring  them  to  a  saving  knowledge 
of  Jesus  Christ.  Mrs.  liuth  Van  ^Iet(^r  was  tlie  first 
superintendent  and  held  the  office  until  the  election  of 
Calvin  Belden.  ^Ir.  Belden  resigned  in  1 856  aft(  r  serv- 
ing the  long  period  of  nearly  thirty  years.  Henry  B. 
Ware  was  his  successor,  who  held  the  office  for  nine- 
teen years,  or  until  his  lamented  death  in  July  l.ST."). 
The  present  superintendent  is  W.  N.  Bannard,  elected 
October  1875.  The  school  has  on  its  roll  two  hundnul 
scholars  and  teachers,  of  which  its  hifant  class  under 
Jno.  P.  Moore,  numbers  sixty-five.  The  school  Ix^gan 
early  to  contribute  to  the  missionary  work  and  during 


42  AN    HISTORICAL 

the  pas^  seven  years  its  gifts  have  amounted  to  $1395.- 
97.  During  the  same  time  the  congregation  have 
given  v5()()  for  its  current  expenses,  and  in  this  way, 
as  well  as  hy  the  efficient  labors  of  its  officers  and 
teachers,  have   sliown   their    unabated   interest   in  it. 

The  Ladies  in  this,  as  in  other  churches,  have  been 
a*  power  for  good.  Their  attendance  at  its  services 
and  co-operation  with  its  pastors  have  greatly  encour- 
aged them.  Their  behoving  prayers  and  active  efforts 
have  proved  a  perpetual  benediction.  Their  faith 
and  zeal  have  risen  with  its  emergencies,  and  if  others 
have  filtered  they  have  never  grown  weary  in  denials 
and  offerings  for  its  sake.  They  have  stimulated  others 
to  meet  its  wants  when  they  have  been  beyond  the  com- 
pass of  their  own  resources.  In  the  Sabbath  School 
and  weekly  meetings,  in  the  Choir,  in  their  sewing 
and  benevolent  society,  in  the  purchase  and  repair 
of  the  parsonage,  in  the  furnishing  and  improvements  of 
the  church,  they  have  helped  to  carry  its  burdens  and 
share  its  work;  they  have  sympathised  in  its  reverses 
and  rejoiced  in  its  success.  It  confirms  this  estimate 
of  the  value  of  their  services  to  state  that  within  the 
last  ten  years  they  have  contributed  by  their  individ- 
ual exertions  $6,500  to  the  uses  and  needs  of  the 
church. 

The  church  owns  at  present  the  following  property: 
First,     This  edifice  which   originally    cost    $27,049 


DISCOURSE.  43 

•and  lias  rocoiitly  h[\m  freed  from  debt  and  refitted  at 
u  further  cost  of  $1  ().()()().  Tlien^  is  no  ehureli  edifice 
in  this  city  superior  to  it,  hardly  any  in  this  part  of 
the  state.  If  spared  from  fire  and  other  disaster  it 
will  stand  for  i^-enerations  a  monument  of  tin*  taste 
and  liberality  ot  this  people  and  of  their  desire  to  rear 
for  themselves  and  children  a  fittins:  house  for  God's 
worship.  And  now  that  it  is  free  from  debt,  and,  ex- 
cept the  basement  and  a  new  organ,  in  complete  order, 
we  may  woll  thank  God  for  it,  while  we  congratulate 
ourscdves  in  its  possession. 

Second,  There  is  the  parsonage  whose  first  cost 
in  1847  was  6*2,800,  and  whose  repairs  and  enlarge- 
ment in  1866,  through  the  efforts  of  the  ladies, 
C'ost  62,500;  other  improvements  have  been  made 
on  it  at  different  times  to  the  value  of  at  least  $700, 
so  that  its  entire  cost  to  the  congregation  has  been 
•56.000.  This  building  is  also  a  desirable  acquisi- 
tion to  the  congregation.  Pleasantly  located  on  one 
of  the  finest  streets  of  the  city,  ample  in  size,  sup- 
pli(Yl  with  what  is  needful  for  the  comfort  of  a  family, 
convenient  to  the  church  and  neat  in  its  appearance, 
it  is  a  suitable  residence  for  your  pastor  and  a  s^-and- 
ing  proof  of  your  care  and  affection  for  him. 

Third,  There  is  the  farm  in  Pittsgrove  to^Miship. 
bequeathed   to  the   church  by  Ur.  James  ^^an  Meter, 


44  AN    HISTORICAL 

and  now  valued  at  61  (),()()().  I'nder  the  skilled  man- 
agement of  the  trustees  this  farm  is  in  excellent 
condition.  Good  huildings  have  heen  erected  on  it; 
it  is  well  fenced,  laid  out  in  fields  of  suitable  size 
and  brought  up  to  a  high  state  of  fertility.  It  yeilds 
to  the  treasury  of  the  church  annuallv  about  $'500. 


Fourth,     The  church  owns,  also,  the  cemetery  in 
East    Griffith    street,  consisting    of  about    one    acre. 
The  original  half  acre  was  the  gift  of  Col.  Johnson 
by  a  deed  dated  February  12,  18*22,  for  the  site  of  the 
old  church  building;  the  remainder  was  the  gift  of 
his   daughter,  Mrs.  Annie  G.  Hubbell    and  her   son 
Johnson  Hubbell  by  a  deed  dated  December  13,1865. 
This   is  God's  acre,  a    spot  doubly  consecrated,  first 
to  the  erection    of  a    buikUng    for    his    worship    and 
again    as    the    resting  place    of  the    bodies    of    his 
saints.     It    has   been    carefully  laid    out    with    suita- 
ble   walks    and  trees;  a    vault    has    been    construct- 
ed at  an    expense    of  $211.41;  monuments  begin  to 
dot  its  surface  and  already  it  has  gathered  within  it 
a  larger  number  than  usually  tread  these  courts.    Its  in- 
terments have  been  three  hundred  and  seventy-eight. 
There  connect  themselves  with  it  endearing,  though 
painful   associations.     Many  of  those  you  have  loved 
and  honored  there  await  the  voice  of  the  Son  of  Man 
on  the  morning  of  the  resurrection.    The  bodies  of  two 


DISCOURSE.  45 

of  the  ministers  of  this  church,  the  only  two  that 
have  departed  this  Hfe,  rest  within  its  peaceful  en- 
closure. Many  liere  expect  to  join  them  there  in 
God's  good  tim(\  As  it  grows  in  beauty  by  the 
growth  of  its  shrubbery  and  improvements  it  must  also 
grow  in  interest  from  the  number  it  continually  wel- 
comes from  life's  strifes  and  cares  to  its  own  repose 
and  refuge. 


••Xor  pain,  nor  grief,  nor  anxious  fear 
Invades  these  bounds  ;  no  mortal  woes 

Can  reach  the  peaceful  sleeper  there. 
While  angels  watch  the  soft  repose." 


This  church  has  been  favored  in  its  officers.  Be- 
sides the  original  three,  Messrs.  Van  Meter,  Burden 
and  jNIcMillen,  the  following  have  served  it  as  Rul- 
ing Elders,  viz.:  Eobert  G.  Johnson,  James  ^^an  Me- 
ter, David  Johnson,  Isaiah  Wood,  George  C.  Rumsey, 
Calvin  Belden,  John  Wetherby,  Henry  Freeman, 
XJiomas  W.  Cattell,  Moses  llichman,  Henry  B.  Ware, 
Reuben  Hinchman,  John  P.  Moore,  Quinton  Gibbon, 
Henry  M.  Rumsey,  Wm.  B.  Robertson — the  last  five 
constitute  the  present  session.     Seven  trustees  wTre 


46  AN    HISTORICAL  • 

elected  in  1822,  viz.:  James  Bertram,  James  Van  Me- 
ter, Edward  J.  Keasbey,  Joel  Fithian,  Samuel  Copner, 
Mathias  Lambson  and  Samuel  Dunn.  Tbe  following 
liave  since  then  been  elected,  viz.:  Thomas  F.  Lamb- 
son,  Geo.  C.  Rumsey,  John  Lawson,  Charles  Hannah, 
Wm.  J.  Shinn,  Calvin  Belden,  Thomas  W.  Cattell, 
Thomas  J.  Van  Meter,  [declined]  Reuben  Hinchman, 
George  B.  Robertson,  John  Lawson,  Wm.  Patterson, 
Wm.  B.  Robertson,  ]\Iaskell  AVare,  D.  Wolcott  Bel- 
den. John  V.  Craven,  Albert  W.  Sherron,  Henry  M. 
Rumsey,  John  P.  Moore,  Charles  W.  Casper,  Caleb 
Wheeler,  John  C.  Belden,  Henry  D.  Hall. 

The  present  board  are  Maskell  Ware,  John  Law- 
son,  Albert  W.  Sherron,  Caleb  Wheeler,  Henry  D. 
Hall,  John  C.  Belden  and  Charles  W.  Casper. 

As  we  read  this  list  of  Elders  and  Trustees  we  are 
struck  with  the  numbers  that  have  been  called  to 
their  final  home — some  of  them  so  recently  that  their 
loss  is  keenly  felt  as  a  fresh  sorrow.  Lideed  next  Sab- 
bath is  the  anniversary  of  the  death  of  that  one  of 
them  with  whom  I  have  been  most  intimately  asso- 
ciated in  the  care  and  work  of  the  church.  I  should 
do  injustice  to  my  feelings,  and  to  the  proprieties  of 
this  occasion,  if  I  did  not  remind  you  briefly  of  the 
great  loss  to  us  all  in  the  death  of  Henry  B.  Ware. 


DISCOURSE.  4< 

How  miicli  wo  have  missed  liis  counsels,  his  sym- 
piitliv,  and  his  ])rayers  th(^  j)ast  year,  llow  corchnlly, 
liad  his  hfe  and  stren^tli  heen  spared,  woukl  he;  liavc 
engaged  in  these  services,  commemorative  of  the 
church  he  so  ardently  loved  and  for  whieli  he  so  faith- 
fidly  lahored.  Ihit  his  work  here  is  done,  and,  with 
others,  he  has  gone  to  his  reward ;  while  for  him  and 
for  them,  we  are  persuaded, '-it  is  far  better."  I  wish 
there  was  timc^  to  give  a  particular  account  of  the 
character  and  labors  of  each  of  tlu^  deceased  officers 
of  this  church.  They  are  kno^^  n  to  you,  however, 
better  than  to  me.  They  live  in  your  memory  and 
affection.  Each  had  his  own  trials  and  execdlencies, 
as  eaeh  did  his  own  peculiar  work.  I  can  only  say 
the  ehurcli  prizes  their  services  in  her  behalf  She 
has  preserved  in  her  records  the  expression  of  her  re- 
gret for  their  loss  and  her  high  sense  of  their  virtues. 
They  cheerfully  gave  to  her  their  prayers  and  efforts. 
They  deliglited  in  her  success  and  spared  neither 
themselves  nor  their  means  to  promote  her  interests. 
We  might  well  spread  Howers  on  their  graves  as 
we  recall  to  day  their  names  and  recite  their  zealous, 
unselfish  and  self-denying  attachment  to  this  church, 
and  to  the  cause  of  religion  in  this  city.  As  we  remind 
ourselves  of  their  virtues  let  it  be  our  purpose  to  fol- 
low their  example.  For  there  remains  to  both  officers 
and  members  of  this  church  a  wide  field  of  christian 
activity.     The  price  of  its  prosperity  in  the  future,  as 


48  AN    HISTORICAL 

in  the  past,  is  unceasing  diligence    and  fidelity  in  its 
work. 

Let  us  be  encouraged  then  bv  this  brief  history  to  aive 
ourselves  with  fresh  hope  and  ardor  to  whatever  will 
increase  its  numbers  and  widen  and  perpetuate  its 
intiuence.  Before  another  fifty-five  years  have  passed 
away  most  of  us  will  be  numbered  with  the  dead. 
Shall  we  not  then  with  God's  help  so  conduct  our- 
selves, that  those  who  follow  us  will  esteem  it  a  priv- 
ilege to  commemorate  our  course,  as  we  to-day  bless 
the  memory  of  the  Fathers  and  praise  God  for  their 
life  and  labors  1 


'^"""  ,  .neoiogicai  Seminary   Libraries 


1    1012  01250  8646 


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